MSC World America vs Star of the Seas · We Sailed Them Back-to-Back

Two of the biggest cruise ships ever built, and we sailed them back to back. MSC World America out of Miami one week, Star of the Seas out of Port Canaveral the very next. Different cruise lines, completely different experiences, and at the end of it we each landed somewhere slightly different.

One thing to know going in, because it shapes everything below. We sailed different cabin categories on each ship. On MSC World America we were in an Aurea Suite, one of their top tier categories but still below Yacht Club. On Star of the Seas we had a standard ocean view balcony. That is not a fair size comparison, so when we get to cabins we will tell you what each category actually delivers rather than pretending it is apples to apples. We have also included exactly what we spent on both, and that number might surprise you.

Round One: Getting On and Off. MSC Wins

MSC uses facial recognition boarding at the Miami terminal. No paper boarding passes, no fumbling for your phone. You walk up, the camera scans your face, and you are through.

Getting off was just as good. Tony keeps saying it was one of the smoothest debarkations he has had on any cruise line, ever. We were off the ship and in an Uber before 8:00 a.m.

Royal Caribbean at Port Canaveral was efficient and completely normal. Nothing wrong with it at all. But after MSC’s facial recognition, it felt a little like stepping back in time.

Round Two: Cabins. Slight Edge to MSC

The MSC Aurea Suite was genuinely impressive: a large room, two big wardrobes, a bathtub, welcome prosecco, a stocked fridge, a balcony, and, critically for Tony, an espresso machine. Christina has never seen a grown man react to an in room coffee maker the way Tony reacted to that Nespresso.

The Aurea Suite also came with access to the Aurea Top 20 Exclusive Deck, which was a real retreat on the days the main pool areas were packed, and a private dining room reserved for Aurea guests. The service at the Top 20 Lounge never disappointed once.

The Royal Caribbean balcony was well designed: light, clean, good storage. Christina’s favorite detail was an unmarked door in the cabin that opens onto a hidden storage cabinet with extra shelves and a safe. We wish more ships did things like that.

Two very specific things affected our daily life, and they are worth more attention than they usually get.

The shower. On MSC, the shower design is genuinely bad. There is a large opening that badly needs a door, so when the water hits you it runs straight out toward the sink, the floor, and the toilet. It is far too much water for one small floor towel to handle, and it becomes a slippery mess. Tony nearly went down more than once. On Royal Caribbean, the shower has a real door that closes all the way and keeps the water inside. That sounds minor. It is not.

The coffee. Aurea Suite: complimentary Nespresso in the room, Tony thriving. Royal Caribbean standard balcony: no coffee maker at all, Tony in mourning every morning.

For suite value specifically, MSC wins this round. Just know what you are getting in each category.

Round Three: The Main Gathering Space. A Draw

On MSC it is the World Galleria, and the headline is an LCD ceiling that runs the full length of the promenade. Not a little display. A massive animated ceiling showing whales swimming, the Grand Canyon at sunrise, the Hollywood sign. You never get tired of walking underneath it, because there is always something new. There is nothing like it on any other ship at sea that we have seen.

The Speakeasy on MSC deserves its own mention. You get in only by personal invitation from a staff member, through a phone booth where you give a secret code, and it opens into a prohibition era bar with live music and singing. That was easily one of the most memorable experiences we have had on any cruise.

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Promenade has the Pearl, but it has much more than that: width, openness, and the sense of a space designed to be lived in. It never felt crowded. The Pearl kinetic sculpture creates a remarkable acoustic effect as well as a dramatic backdrop. Then there is Central Park, a genuine outdoor space in the middle of the ship with real living trees, where you completely forget you are on a ship. And the Overlook at the bow, glowing at night, is something we fell in love with immediately.

MSC wins on the single wild moment. Royal Caribbean wins on variety and livability. Take your pick.

Round Four: Pools and Crowds. Star of the Seas, Easily

Pool decks on mega ships will always feel crowded on sea days, but there is a spectrum.

MSC World America’s first sea day was intense. Every deck chair gone, every pool packed. It calmed down on later sea days. If you are in an Aurea Suite with deck access, that Top 20 area is a real escape, though there is no pool there, only two hot tubs. If you are not in a suite and it is your first sea day, your options are limited. The Zen adults only pool at the back was still crowded, the Botanic Garden pool got hot and busy fast, and the main Mar Azul pool was simply too many people.

Star of the Seas managed crowds better across the board. Even with 7,600 passengers on board, the main pool areas felt manageable, and the activity options are a level above: FlowRider, multiple water slides, pools of different sizes and atmospheres, the Crown’s Edge ropes course that sends you out over the open ocean, which is a hard no from Christina, and rock climbing. The Hideaway adults only area with its infinity pool is a great escape from the kids, and you can rent daybeds in the middle of the water.

Round Five: Entertainment. Star of the Seas

MSC World America’s standout for us was not a ticketed show at all. It was the Diamond and Voyagers Club loyalty party. Captain Dino spoke, there were aerial acrobatics, drinks, appetizers, free giveaways, and a photo opportunity with the captain. You did have to pay for that photo if you wanted it, which other lines have given us complimentary at a loyalty event. Even so, we both said it was the best loyalty event we have attended on any cruise line. The White Night party on the Lido deck was a real event with real energy, not just a playlist and a few themed cocktails.

Star of the Seas leans on the thing Royal Caribbean has consistently done better than anyone in the industry: production shows. Back to the Future the Musical runs two hours and it is incredible. Neither of us is really a musical theater person and we were genuinely entertained the whole way through. Torque, the AquaDome high dive show, is a racing themed spectacular with synchronized diving and acrobatics that had Christina on the edge of her seat. The ice skating show, Soul, was a complete surprise in terms of artistry, costumes, and talent. And the comedy at the Attic runs multiple comedians in a fun atmosphere.

MSC has better parties. Royal Caribbean has better shows. On a seven night cruise where you want something every evening, this round goes to Star of the Seas.

Round Six: Food and Drink. Slight Edge to Star of the Seas

On MSC we tried Hola Tacos, which in Christina’s opinion was overrated. Not bad, just not great, and if you wanted a plain margarita on the rocks there was a $5 upcharge even with the drink package. Kaito Sushi was excellent. The quick service takeaway was okay. We mostly ate in the restaurant reserved for Aurea guests, where we had the same waiter all week and the food was delicious.

Breakfast in the MSC main dining room was, honestly, a mess. Crowded tables, slow service, wrong orders. It did not feel designed for the number of people on board, and there is barely enough room between tables for the waiters to get through. The pool deck pizza had great crust but not much flavor. The burgers are pre made and sitting on a shelf waiting to be grabbed, which does not make for an appetizing meal. The buffet had great selection and usually good food, but the design made it feel crowded, with several bottlenecks, and the plates were almost hidden away.

Royal Caribbean’s complimentary casual food is a level up. Base Camp serves smash burgers that Tony said rival Guy’s Burgers on Carnival, which is about the highest compliment he gives ship food. The Thai lemongrass chicken at the AquaDome Marketplace was something Christina was actively craving by midweek, and is craving right now. The free crepes on Star of the Seas were better than the ones we paid for on World America. Park Cafe in Central Park and the Pearl Cafe are both excellent. Sorrento’s pizza has more flavor than MSC’s, though MSC still wins on crust.

Now the drinks, and this is critical if you are planning an MSC cruise. Their drink package caps at $16 per drink. That sounds fine until you realize the Elixir Mixology Bar, the Fizz Champagne Bar, and others have almost nothing on the menu under $16. If those are your spots, you are paying overages on every single drink, and over seven days that adds up. And if you score a Speakeasy invitation, you pay full price there regardless. The package does not apply.

Royal Caribbean had none of that friction. The bars are everywhere and they are all covered. The handcrafted margaritas at Lime and Coconut over by Cloud 17 are worth seeking out, and ask for Geo. The 1400 cocktail at the 1400 bar was a highlight for Christina. The Overlook Bar at night glows like Pandora at Animal Kingdom, so go after dinner and thank us later.

One service call out: Boleros Latin Bar was consistently bad. We stopped by twice and both times the bartenders were talking to each other and basically ignored us. Not a fluke. There are too many other good options to bother.

Round Seven: Ports. MSC, Based on What We Actually Got

Itineraries change and weather happens, so your experience can look very different from ours.

MSC World America gave us Puerto Plata, where Christina did the Damajagua waterfalls excursion, which might be one of the most exhilarating things she has ever done. Then San Juan, which is always a yes from us. Then Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, which is peaceful and genuinely beautiful, with a light show at night that is visible from the ship or the shore. Know that Ocean Cay is a relaxed beach day, not an activity packed thrill island.

Star of the Seas had a rougher run, and truly not the ship’s fault. Perfect Day at CocoCay was cancelled because of a cold front with 50 mile per hour winds. We made Cozumel and did a manatee swim at Chankanaab Park, and the short time in the water with the sea cows was awesome, but it did not make up for a disappointing venue with terrible food and not much to do while waiting your turn. Roatan was just okay: beautiful from the ship, but without a booked excursion there is not a lot at the port itself. Costa Maya was similar, though larger, with more stores and restaurants.

In normal weather, CocoCay probably flips this round entirely. Based on our actual sailing, it goes to MSC.

Round Eight: Vibe and Ship Design. Star of the Seas

MSC World America is, without question, a beautiful ship. Clean lines, modern, monochromatic and elegant. It also felt like a lot of other ships we have been on. Nothing dramatically different.

Star of the Seas is something else. Everywhere you look is different and yet it somehow blends into one seamless experience. You can walk from Central Park to Surfside and feel like you switched ships entirely. Vibrant colors and unexpected art around every corner.

Star of the Seas also has one standout piece of passenger management that we have not stopped talking about: the escalator system for port days. Instead of choosing between stairs and crowded elevators, you take an escalator up from a spacious gangway security area straight to the promenade, then go wherever you want. Nap in the cabin, lunch at Base Camp, a cocktail at Giovanni’s Wine Bar. No crowds, just choices. That area is clearly purpose built for the X ray machines rather than shoved into a corner, and it flows. It is night and day compared with other lines.

Things We Wish We Had Known

On MSC, if you plan to spend your evenings at the Elixir Bar or the other specialty bars, budget for drink overages on top of your package. We did not expect that going in and it added up.

On Royal Caribbean, the Key program is worth it on Star of the Seas specifically because of the show situation. Back to the Future has reserved Key seating that puts you front and center. If you are not buying the Key, book show times the moment they open.

On both ships, specialty dining feels like a small treat in the moment. Build the total into your upfront budget or you will be surprised at the end. You can often pre book and pre pay before you board, and it is worth watching for specials and discounts on those packages.

What We Actually Paid

Here are the real numbers. Your prices will differ, because cruise pricing moves constantly with booking window, promotions, and cabin category, but the structure is what matters.

MSC World America. Base fare $4,569 for an Aurea Suite, which included the drink package and Wi-Fi for one device per person. One caveat on that Wi-Fi: you cannot switch devices mid sailing. Whichever device you start on is the one you are stuck with all week. There is no logging out and swapping. Taxes, fees, and gratuities on top. Specialty dining was light for us, just Hola Tacos for dinner and one takeaway night. One shore excursion, the Damajagua waterfalls, which only Christina did. We used the Aurea thermal pool once, found it loud rather than tranquil, and did not go back. We also prepaid $38.50 for laundry covering 20 pieces, purely because Star of the Seas started the day after we got off and Christina wanted clean clothes for it. Total: $5,465.50 for the two of us, or $390.39 per person per day.

Star of the Seas. Base fare $4,761 for an ocean view balcony. On the face of it that is comparable to MSC. Then, to make this an honest comparison, we had to buy everything the Aurea fare had included. The deluxe beverage package cost an extra $1,222. Wi-Fi came through the Key program, which we bought anyway for the priority show seating, matching the reserved seating our Aurea Suite gave us. Taxes were slightly lower because CocoCay was cancelled. We did more specialty dining here: Giovanni’s, Pier 7, Giovanni’s Wine Bar, Playmakers, and Izumi in the Park. One excursion, the Chankanaab manatee swim. No spa at all. Total: $7,510, or $536.43 per person per day.

That is a big difference, and it comes almost entirely from what MSC bundles into the base fare. If you do not drink and would skip the beverage package, the gap narrows considerably. But comparing like for like, MSC gives you more in the price.

Christina’s Verdict

Star of the Seas is now my favorite ship that I have ever sailed. It was not close by the end. Full disclosure, I thought I would hate it. But the layout, the variety, and the way it handles crowds won me over completely. I could have stayed another week and I cannot wait to go back. Star of the Seas, no question.

Tony’s Verdict

I really want to go back on MSC, but next time I want to try Yacht Club. The Aurea Suite experience was awesome and I want to take it to the next level, on the MSC Seascape out of Galveston, and compare the two ships properly.

My genuine recommendation comes down to who you are. If you are traveling with a family, I do not think there is a better ship out there than Star of the Seas. That ship has everything, and you are going to pay for it. If you are budget conscious and you are willing to put up with some of MSC’s quirks, look hard at World America. It is a beautiful ship, it is a great value in any cabin category, and you get a lot of bang for your buck. If you can put the money into Star of the Seas, you will not be disappointed.

The Bottom Line

You cannot go wrong with either of these ships. They are two of the best at sea right now, and they are built for different cruisers. MSC World America is the value play with genuinely unique moments, the Galleria ceiling and that Speakeasy above all. Star of the Seas is the better all round experience and the better ship for families, and it costs accordingly.

If you want our honest read on which one is right for your specific situation, tell us in the comments. Kids or no kids, first cruise or veteran, and what you care most about. We will tell you exactly which ship we would put you on.